words & images // Nick Engvall

Vans shoes have always been near the top of my list when it comes to sneakers. Seeing as how my preferred mode of transportation is on a skateboard, and they’re a California-based company, it really wouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody that knows me. The Half Cab has always been a regular part of my sneaker collection, but I’ve been looking for a reason to add a pair of the Mountain Edition to my collection since they collaborated with Supreme in 2008.

The Vans Mountain Edition in this particular colorway I saw for the first time as the Giants were making they’re run for the World Series title, so it immediately made it on to the “must-have list.”

There are a few things about this version of the Mountain Edition in particular that spoke to me. First of all, there is a bit of orange, which is always a good start for me. Another thing I really like is the “cracked” finish on this colorway. It almost feels rustic to me. The extra padding around the collar gives it a plush feel and the 3M Scotchgard-infused upper means that it will last through the rain without losing that fresh and clean look. Most of all, I  love that it’s a nice quality shoe that looks good, and I can still skate in it.

Be sure check out the rest of our Sole Team Shots as well.

Available now: Vans Mountain Edition